Model Kate Moss is dropped by fashion houses after drug abuse charges

LONDON: Cosmetics firm Rimmel will review its contract with super model Kate Moss, who is named in instances of drug abuse. The company said it is shocked and dismayed by the allegations surrounding the model’s behaviour and that it is reviewing the contract. Rimmel, the top-selling U.K. cosmetics brand, had signed Moss in September 2001 and renewed her contract last year. She models for mascara, nail polish, lipstick and other cosmetics for Rimmel.

British newspapers had published pictures of the 31-year-old model consuming cocaine. She is yet to react to the allegation publicly.

She has already been dropped from modelling assignments by firms such as U.K. fashion store Burberry and Swedish clothing company Hennes & Mauritz. Even French fashion house Channel said it will not renew an existing contract when it expires in October. According to estimates, Moss earns as much as 4 million pounds from her modelling contracts.

Hennes & Mauritz, by far the largest fashion store in Europe, said it is invoking a provision in the contract that stipulates that its models should be “healthy, wholesome and sound”. It said it has decided that a campaign with Moss is not consistent with H&M;’s clear disassociation from drugs. Moss was to model a one-time collection from designer Stella McCartney for the fall 2005.

Burberry is cancelling an autumn campaign with Moss following a mutual consent.

The model is now facing a police inquiry into the alleged involvement with cocaine. If she is found to have used the drug, she can be charged with possession of the drug, which is a serious offence. The police generally probes drug dealers rather than users, but London’s police commissioner Ian Blair said the policy is adaptable to the impact of events.

Moss had won a libel case recently against Daily Mirror over allegations that she had collapsed after ingestion of the drug in Barcelona in 2001.

The model, with a two-year daughter, has been in media glare following revelation of her relationship with pop star Pete Doherty, who has admitted to having used cocaine and heroin. With an estimated fortune of 30 million pounds, she is best known for her work for Calvin Klein.